By AP

LANSING, MI – It's the third of the state's six scheduled unpaid furlough days for most employees. State government will run much like it does on a public holiday.

Among those services that should continue without interruption are Michigan State Police road patrols, prisons, state psychiatric hospitals and emergency human services programs. Unemployment office call centers and problem resolution offices will be open.

Secretary of State and general state offices will be closed.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Unemployment rates rose in all 17 of Michigan's major labor markets in June.

The loss of manufacturing jobs and of seasonal employment in education drove up the unemployment rates announced by the state Thursday. Michigan gained seasonal tourism jobs.

All of Michigan's regional markets had unemployment rates of more than 10% last month, ranging from a low of 10.6% in Ann Arbor to a high of 17.4% in Flint.

Two rural counties, Baraga and Oscoda, each had jobless rates of
more than 20%.

By AP

LANSING, MI – LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Jennifer Granholm appears to be leaving several options open for resolving Michigan's state budget problems.

Granholm told reporters shortly after meetings with legislative leaders Thursday that trimming the size of various tax exemptions or "loopholes" could be included in a budget-balancing plan. She said reducing a surcharge on the Michigan Business Tax could be considered as part of a deal.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – A state senator says the Michigan Economic Development Corporation gives out too many tax credits to businesses without enough oversight.

State Senator Nancy Cassis says the MEDC gave out a year's worth of tax credits in six months. Cassis says she wants more details on how successful the businesses that get the tax credits are at creating jobs.

Cassis says small businesses already in the state don't see the same benefits as some companies that get tax credits to come to Michigan.

By Gretchen Millich

Lansing, MI – Student government leaders from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan stood together Thursday at the state Capitol. They vowed to fight to save the Michigan Promise Scholarship program.

The students say they will spend the rest of the summer lobbying the state legislature. They're concerned about proposed budget cuts that could wipe out Michigan Promise Scholarships and reduce funding for colleges and universities.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Governor Granholm met Thursday with legislative leaders to try and resolve disagreements over the next state budget. The governor says one of her priorities is making sure the Michigan Promise college scholarship is not eliminated. It goes to all students who complete two years of college or job training after high school.

By AP

DETROIT – Former Detroit Red Wing Sergei Fedorov says during the past 11 years he has been swindled out of $43 million by a Grosse Pointe Shores man entrusted to manage his money.

In a lawsuit obtained by the Detroit Free Press prior to an expected filing this morning in Wayne County Circuit Court, Fedorov accuses Joseph Zada of embezzlement and reneging on a promise to repay him.

The lawsuit says Zada, "acting in concert with others, intentionally lied to Fedorov" whenever he asked about the money.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Former state Rep. John Freeman has made it official and announced he will run for Michigan governor in 2010.

The Democrat from Madison Heights served six years in the Legislature before leaving because of term limits in 1998. He most recently led a group pushing for changes to health care in Michigan.

Freeman sent a fundraising e-mail Wednesday saying proposals in Lansing are "stale" and "out of touch."

By WKAR

PEORIA, IL – The Lansing Lugnuts topped the Peoria Chiefs 6-2 last night at O'Brien Field in the opener of a three-game series. The win maked the first time during the second half that the Lugnuts had won consecutive games. Lansing's season-high winning streak stands at just three games, set twice during the first half. Tonight at 8:00 p. m. the Lugnuts and Chiefs play number two of their three-game series.

By AP

AUBURN HILLS, MI – Reserves Ivory Latta and Angel McCoughtry combined for 42 points as the Atlanta Dream beat Detroit 98-95 in overtime Wednesday, the latest loss for the defending WNBA champion.

Another reserve, Michelle Snow, added 16 points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta.

Kara Braxton had 25 points and 12 rebounds for Detroit (5-9), which went to overtime for the fourth time in six games and is mired at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.